Student Life Returns to Campus
Hello ASA Alumni!

A full year ago this month we were enjoying Presentation Week and keeping an eye on growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Shortly thereafter the world tipped upside down and we spent Spring Break preparing for school closure and remote learning. Not an easy process for all the reasons you can already imagine! This last year seems like both an eternity and a blink of an eye at the same time. Many, if not all of us, have experienced very personal and real intersections and even trauma with this pandemic. I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well and finding ways to stay connected with friends and family. 
Leah Fregulia, Head of School and CEO
If you are wondering how ASA managed to adapt and stay true to our mission – well I can tell you, it has not been easy. I can also tell you that the ASA faculty and staff have been incredible – focused on the most essential priorities to keep student health, well-being and learning at the center of our decisions – and working more hours than ever to create connections and experiences that are as close to the real ASA as possible. It is reflected in our 2019-2020 Annual Report or you can take a peek at our students’ creativity while learning remotely.

Meanwhile, the Leadership Team and the ASA Board of Directors put focus on ensuring all students had technology and internet access, adopting new software platforms to bring the classroom alive, and providing a safe place to learn if needed. We have kept a close eye on the COVID-19 numbers that drive decisions about school opening and assembled a council of medical advisors from our community to guide and educate us.  

And here we are in March 2021 – ready to finally, at long last, open school – albeit in what we are calling a hybrid mode. Students will be on campus two days per week and learning remotely on the alternate days. Arts classes will mostly be outside and spreading over into First Church – the courtyard, Pilgrim Hall, Anthony Lounge and even the sanctuary! Remember??? We are so grateful for the partnership we continue to have with the church leadership. You may love to know that the leadership team at First Church include: Pastor Susan Valiquette (ASA parent alum); and Jonathan Robinson (former ASA Band faculty) and Grace (Christy) Clark (you guessed it – Alumnae, class of 2004). 
The Ambassadors, along with faculty, are on campus this week to welcome and give tours to all our new students who have never been on campus. Staff and family volunteers are preparing a special “First Day of School” and some special surprises for faculty. We are all practicing our safe procedures, health checks, tracking and tracing, etc.   

While for the time-being we will be in this reduced attendance hybrid model, we are watching the transmission numbers and we will return to full campus instruction as soon as possible. We will keep you (Pigeon) Posted and hope you will stay connected on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

Stay well and hope to see you soon!
Leah Fregulia 
CEO/HEAD OF SCHOOL
25 Years of Inspiring
Creative Thinkers and Leaders
Arizona School for the Arts will celebrate a vision for the future by looking back and highlighting 25 of the thousands of students who have turned their tassels as ASA graduates in our first 25 years! Visit goasa.org/alumni for more alumni features and updates.

NICHOLAS GANT
Class of 2001


“The Arts + Smarts combination was something that aided in my success in undergrad and grad school. It pushed me to have a balance to be able to be successful in academics as well as the arts. ”
KELSEY JENNINGS ROGGENSACK
Class of 2009

Collective learning is everything! The cities and countries that I remember to this day are the places that I memorized with friends. As a PhD student, I still find it most valuable to work with other people, whether we are reviewing one another’s work or collaborating on a new idea.
Meet Alum at ASA!
EMMA POPISH
9th Grade Social Studies

“I have come back to ASA to be a part of the same team that dedicated their careers to teaching me. As an alumna I hope to encourage my students to achieve their dreams, just as past ASA teachers encouraged me to reach out for my dreams." 
REBECCA NEEDHAMMER
5th-9th Grade Ballet & Modern Dance

"I have so many fond memories of ASA from when I was a student here. This school undoubtedly shaped who I have become and how I will continue to grow. I’m so proud to be able to carry on the tradition of creativity and scholarship."
"Teachers teach because they care. Teaching young people is what they do best. It requires long hours, patience, and care."
— Horace Mann
It is often said that teaching is a calling and many ASA graduates have heeded that call. Arizona School for the Arts is fortunate enough to have two former students currently in the ranks of our faculty, Rebecca Needhammer and Emma Popish. In our own version of Arts + Smarts, Rebecca is an instructor of Ballet and Modern Dance for fifth through ninth grade students while Emma teaches ninth grade Social Studies.
The Student Ambassador Program
 
Since 2000, the Student Ambassador program has been an important link between the Arizona School of the Arts student body and the greater Phoenix community. Originally conceived as a shadow program allowing potential ASA students to attend the school for the day with an Ambassador, it has grown to include campus tours, helping to facilitate ASA events like New Student Orientation and the Club Fair and representing ASA at community events such as Arts Congress and Noche en Blanco.

Led this year by Eleventh Grade English Teacher Chad Kurzawski, this group of exceptional eighth through twelfth graders exemplify the core values of ASA. Ambassadors are chosen through an application process which can attract as many as seventy-five hopeful candidates in a given application cycle. Students join for varying reasons such as seeing it as a way to overcome some innate shyness and become more involved at the school, or joining a sibling as an Ambassador, or even as a means to connect with the Phoenix arts community. The common thread is a group of young adults finding a way to be of service to their school and city.
If one is fortunate enough to sit down and speak with the Lead Ambassadors, you will find a group of poised individuals who will tell you how they have benefited from working in this program as much as they benefitted the school. Comprised of Juniors and Seniors, they take the role modeling one step further by acting as mentors within the program itself. They find satisfaction in connecting with prospective and current students but greatly enjoy guiding the younger Ambassadors, helping them grow up in the program as many of them have.
There are so many ways to show your support!
Make your ASA Alumni gift, today!
Make a one-time or monthly GIFT ONLINE and learn more about donating your Arizona Public School TAX CREDIT - donate yours before April 15th! You can also check out other awesome ways to give by clicking the button below.
Thank you for giving back to ASA!
More details coming soon!
Keep In Touch!

STAY CONNECTED: If you have a new address, an update about yourself, or an inquiry, we would love to hear from you! Click here to submit an Alumni Note or send an email to alumni@goasa.org.
 
STAY INFORMED: If you have classmates with whom you are in touch but we may not be, please forward this newsletter to them and let them know we would like to hear from them! Sign-up to join our alumni mailing list via the Alumni Connection Links at goasa.org/alumni.

Arizona School for the Arts inspires creative thinkers and leaders through providing an innovative concentration in college preparation informed by the performing arts.
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